Estevan Payan vs. Michael Bravo Re-Booked for January Strikeforce Card

ESTEVAN PAYAN VS. MICHAEL BRAVO RE-BOOKED FOR JANUARY STRIKEFORCE CARD
BY MATT ERICKSON ON NOV 30, 2012 AT 12:30 AM ET

A lightweight bout between Estevan Payan (13-3 MMA, 1-0 SF) and Michael Bravo (7-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) is the latest addition to next month's Strikeforce event.

The fight booking is one that was made for the Nov. 3 card that was canceled. But the two fighters still will meet, just a little delayed from the original plan. Sources close to the fight on Thursday confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com.

Strikeforce's next show, for now called "Strikeforce: Champions," but soon expected to be renamed "Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine," takes place Jan. 12 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.

The main card airs on Showtime, and Showtime Extreme carries the prelims. Payan vs. Bravo will take place on the preliminary card, though given time constraints it is not guaranteed to be televised.

The card was dubbed "Champions" because it was expected to feature three title fights. But lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez and middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold recently each pulled out, citing lingering injuries that also forced them off Strikeforce shows in September and earlier this month, respectively. Both of those shows ultimately were canceled.

Though not yet announced by promotion officials as the new title, "Marquardt vs. Saffiedine" is expected to be the final official name for the lone champ left on the card, headlining welterweight champion Nate Marquardt, who meets Tarec Saffiedine for the title.

Payan, a former Bellator and Shark Fights fighter, made his Strikeforce debut in January and picked up a unanimous-decision victory. It moved the Arizona Combat Sports fighter's current undefeated run to seven fights (6-0 with one no contest). Three of the six wins have come by knockout.

Bravo, meanwhile, will make his promotional debut while in search of his fourth straight win. The San Diego-based fighter has posted knockouts in all seven of his pro victories. Bravo, who makes his big-show debut, earned his most recent one in May over Nolan Sules.

The latest "Strikeforce: Champions" card includes:

Champ Nate Marquardt vs. Tarec Saffiedine - for welterweight title
Daniel Cormier vs. Dion Staring
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mike Kyle
Lorenz Larkin vs. Ronaldo Souza
Josh Barnett vs. Nandor Guelmino*
Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal
Roger Gracie vs. Anthony Smith
Tim Kennedy vs. Trevor Smith
Ryan Couture vs. K.J. Noons
Michael Bravo vs. Estevan Payan*

* - Not officially announced